RSSHurt oil well workers improve; flash fire probe ongoing
Yakima Herald-Republic
E-mail
Print
Comments
More 'Local'
- The paraeducator dilemma
- How well did you read last week's YH-R?
- Sunnyside jail escapee caught after three years
- Wilson Building has an old look, but a new life
- City spends $16,000 defending Ensey
- Keeping weight off the bigger challenge
- Chinook Pass closed due to heavy snow, avalanche danger
Workers injured in a flash fire last week at the state's only active natural gas exploration well were recovering Monday as investigators continued to sort out exactly what happened.
Three workers who were initially reported in critical condition from burns were reported Monday to be in satisfactory condition by a spokesman for Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
However, no update was available for a fourth man who had been taken to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland with a broken leg.
None of the injuries are life threatening, said Greg Tubbs of DHS Drilling, the rig contractor. He declined to elaborate on their conditions.
Three of the injured men worked for DHS, while the fourth worked for a sub-contractor. DHS is under contract to the well's owner, Delta Petroleum of Denver, Colo.
Meanwhile, investigators are still trying to unravel all the details of the early Friday morning fire on the deck of the well.
Investigators with the state Department of Labor and Industries have visited the remote site about 12 miles southeast of Bickleton and are continuing an investigation that could last months, said Elaine Fischer, a department spokeswoman.
Company officials with the Denver, Colo., company did not return phone messages Monday.
The well is part of an ongoing search to determine whether commercial quantities of natural gas exist in the region. It began drilling operations seven weeks ago.
The fire started when gas was accidentally released up the well as workers were removing the drilling equipment. Somehow, a spark ignited the gas causing the fire that also burned a few tarps and lubricants on the rig floor.
"It's possible that the gas hit them at the time when they were absolutely the most vulnerable," said Ron Teissere, the state's oil and gas supervisor.
The company does not appear to have violated its permit, Teissere said, and does not need the state's permission to resume drilling. He has, however, asked company officials to keep him informed of the investigation and any changes in their drilling procedure.
Teissere said the drill workers spent the weekend clearing the rig deck of equipment that fell during the fire and removing about 60 to 120 feet of pipe still in the well. They originally told him they could resume drilling by today or Wednesday, he said.
However, DHS has not decided when it will resume drilling, Tubbs said.
* Ross Courtney can be reached at 930-8798 or rcourtney@yakimaherald.com.
Posting Guidelines - Updated Aug. 21 2009
Readers are encouraged to use these forums to discuss issues affecting the
Yakima Valley. Debate the ideas presented in stories and other comments, but
refrain from personal attacks and offensive remarks aimed at others; e.g.,
you may call an idea idiotic, but don't say the person is an idiot. The
Herald-Republic reserves the right to remove any comment for any reason.
Examples include material that is obscene, encourages illegal activity or
stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and
other factors. Continued violation of these guidelines can lead to
suspension or revocation of your ability to post comments. If you believe a
comment is inappropriate, you can bring it to our attention by clicking the
"report violation" link by each comment. Guidelines revised Aug. 21, 2009.
Registered User?
